Healthcare

How to become a Respiratory Therapist

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

2 years

Typical pay

$62k–$82k

Starting from

No experience

The steps

1. 1

   Finish a CoARC-accredited program

   Associate degree minimum; some employers now prefer a bachelor's.

   2 years

2. 2

   Pass the TMC exam

   Score high enough and you qualify to sit the clinical simulation for RRT.

   CRT, then RRT (NBRC)

3. 3

   License with your state

   Required in almost every state before you touch a ventilator.

   4–8 weeks

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.